The heptathlon prospect Morgan Lake has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in order to focus fully on this month’s World Junior Championships in Oregon.

The 17-year-old, who set a new UK youth record in May this year, has accepted it is best for her development to prioritise the event in the United States, which starts on 22 July. Lake will be replaced in the England team by Grace Clements, who won a bronze medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010.

“This has been an extremely difficult decision for me to take as I was honoured to be selected to Team England, but ultimately it’s right for me and my development to focus on the World Juniors,” said Lake. “I want to wish Grace and the rest of Team England all the very best and I’ll be cheering them all on.”

Clement will make up a three-strong England heptathlon team including the gold medal contender Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Yorkshire’s Jessica Taylor.

Clements said: “It is great to be back on the team having medalled four years ago. I have been through a tough four years, so this is like a dream come true – a fairlytale ending to my career. I’m very grateful for this opportunity to compete in the Commonwealth Games”